Tom Selleck, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin and Other Stars Who Started out on Soap Operas

Tom Selleck, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin and other famous actors who made their career debut on Soap Operas.

Soap Operas were the television genre that dominated in the 60s and 70s and is still relevant today. Many stars paid their dues doing soap operas, and People agree that they are deserving of recognition.

The journey to fame can be daunting, and for a lot of big-time names in Hollywood, like Tom Selleck, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin, Brad Pitt and Vivica A. Fox, it began with roles in the soaps.

Vivica Fox starred in three soap operas; “Days of Our Lives”, “Generations” and “The Young and the Restless”, all between 1988 and 1995.

ALEC BALWIN

Alec Baldwin made his television debut in 1980 with a soap opera titled “The Doctors.” His character, Billy Aldrich, according to EW, gave the show a much-needed twist.

Baldwin’s run on “The Doctors” ended in 1982, but he had caught the attention of many and starred in another soap, “Knots Landing” in 1984. According to the 62-year old actor, joining the “Knots Landing” cast was one of the most important moves he made.

KELLY RIPA

Talk show host, Kelly Ripa began her Hollywood career acting in “All My Children” as Hayley Vaughan Santos. Her character depicted the woes of a teenager with an alcoholic parent. Cheatsheet reported that Kelly joined the show again to celebrate their 40th year on air.

TOM SELLECK

Thomas “Tom” Selleck is one actor who cannot be boxed as he took on daring roles both in television and film. He appeared in many soaps, in his day, including the third-longest running show, “The Young and The Restless.”

His character, Jed Andrews, was one of the show’s earliest casts, and in 1975, he said goodbye to the crew.

Tom acted in other shows, “Blue Bloods” and “Magnum PI” afterwards, and from the report by Cheat Sheet, it was his role in “Magnum PI” that brought Tom to the limelight.

BRAD PITT

Hollywood Sensation and Oscar winner, Brad Pitt, is not left out of stars who started from scratch. Brad’s first trial as an actor was on the soap opera “Another World” in 1987.

In the same year to his surprise and the excitement of fans, he landed another television role titled “Dallas.” People report that four episodes into filming for “Dallas,” the young Brad “couldn’t believe his luck.”

VIVICA A. FOX

The Black American stunner, Vivica A. Fox, told People that she was happy about her soap roles and how they helped to clear some African-American stereotypes.

Vivica Fox starred in three soap operas; “Days of Our Lives,” “Generations,” and “The Young and the Restless,” all between 1988 and 1995.

Many stars paid their dues doing soap operas, and to keep the history of soaps alive, ABC and People are airing a documentary titled “The Story of Soaps.”

“The Story of Soaps,” according to People, will feature stars like Alec Baldwin, Vivica A. Fox, Jon Hamm, Andy Cohen and Susan Lucci, who dominated the television industry and made the genre famous.

The television event would also bring to light the influence of soap operas in the film industry. Other actors who rose to fame from doing soap operas include Ryan Philippe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ricky Martin, Meg Ryan, Chandra Wilson and Denise Richards.